[Riparian]

Originally Posted by robodork

. I'm very interested in lightweight bamboo, but only if it doesn't destroy my wallet. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I am a complete n00b Thanks in advance.

http://www.southeastflyfishingforum....-2-t32974.html

That would be it. I got to cast it the other day. If you want it you better grab it before I break down.

[mattnmtns]

I am curious why would would say the TXL or Bamboo. The TXL is a fast action rod, bamboo obviously is not. Just seems to be a bit of a contradiction. If anything I think the ZXL would be better. Admittedly my personal preference for slow action rods. Personally I think it is more fun to catch brookies and just about any trout on a mid or full flex rod. I also agree with the others that a 1 or 2 might be limiting even as a "specialty" brookie rod. A medium or slow action 3 or 4 wt in 7'6" to 8' would be perfect. I don't think there is one perfect rod, at least I keep telling myself that.

Do some research, try to cast before you buy and don't count out fiberglass rods.

Originally Posted by Silvercreek

Do you guys use one rod all year round for mountain streams?

Yes and no, I typically would or could use the same rod on the same stream all year because the rhododendron is pretty much an obstacle year round. The streams vary sop much though. There are some tight plunge pool streams that I'll use my 9' rod on. There are others I will use my 6'6" rid on. It usually has more to do with how much length I think I will need to effectively mend my line.

[GainesBowBum]

But I have to disagree here...

Originally Posted by mattnmtns

... I also agree with the others that a 1 or 2 might be limiting even as a "specialty" brookie rod...

I've got a 8'3'' 1 weight that is a pleasure to cast... And even more fun to fight fish on. I've fished it in the small mountain streams (although long for my preference), I've fished it on the ponds (ALL kinds of fun), tailwaters with small flies and 18in fish (landed in short time too), and on stocker water. Granted you aren't going to be laying out 50ft casts with buggers and lead... That's what the 5 and 6 weights are for... But light rods are functional and I don't consider them specialty.

For the type of stream you are talking about, personally I would go with a 6ft -7ft 3 weight. I use a 6'3'' SLT paired with a Ross Rythym 0 or a Evo 1 for my small stream fishing. There are times when I wish the rod was a hair longer, but then there are times when anything longer would just get hung up in the rhoddy...

I agree that a more relaxed action would most likely be better suited to small streams... Or that may just be my personal preference coming out.

I do however suggest overlining the rod by 1 line weight. It will require less line out of the tip to load the rod. Also, I'm partial to DT lines... When one end is finished, just flip the line around and you are good for another few seasons.

For reels, I like Ross... But have heard good things about Orvis BBS. But I like the disc drag on Ross and they are superlight. Plus the Rythym and Evolution were discontinued and there are some deep discounts on what is left out there.

Hope it helps some... Like you can see, everyone has a different opinion... Try and get out and cast some different rod lengths, weights, and actions... See what fits your style.

Shameless advertisement, but if you decide you want a Sage SLT 8 ft 4 weight, I've got one for sale...

[Silvercreek]

Originally Posted by GainesBowBum

I do however suggest overlining the rod by 1 line weight. It will require less line out of the tip to load the rod. Also, I'm partial to DT lines... When one end is finished, just flip the line around and you are good for another few seasons.

I also use DT lines for 4 wt and below. But I cut the DT lines in half and make a loop to loop connection with half a DT line to Cortland Running Line. Cortland running line is about a 1-2 wt level floating line and it is very much like the back end of a WF line. So it shoots just like WF running line.

I store the other half of the DT line away on the original spool, and it stays as good as new because it is not in a hot car. It is also not stored in tight loops under the rest of the fly line.

Most DT lines are 90 ft and have the same taper profile for the first 30 feet as the WF lines from the same manufacturer. I use 45 feet of DT line but you could make the DT portion of the line anywhere from 30 to 45 long.

I've used this set up to make long casts into the running line but it is best used in small streams where you wont need long casts. 45 ft of DT line will allow you to make casts of over 55 feet when you factor in the length of the leader and the rod. So in my view there is no disadvantage to cutting a Dt line in half for this application.

See my previous post on how to make the loop to loop connection:

http://www.southeastflyfishingforum....ad.php?t=19494

[rivergeezer]

Originally Posted by phg

When I was out west, fishing the Madison near $3 Bridge, I did have to use a longer rod, but there's nothing like that around here.

The current was so strong at the $3 Bridge that I stopped fishing, tied one end of a rope to the bridge and the other around my waist, and barefoot skied.

[Silvercreek]

Originally Posted by rivergeezer

The current was so strong at the $3 Bridge that I stopped fishing, tied one end of a rope to the bridge and the other around my waist, and barefoot skied.

I use a 10' 5 wt out there.







This is what you do if you are either crazy or a hot shot wader.

[fleming13]

Brookies, I use a 6'6" 2wt built on a batson blank and an Orvis BBSII reel. Love it! Only thing I would change is building a 4 pc instead of the 2 pc. Briefly had an 18" ish bow on in a DH. Bent the rod to the cork. Sure makes the little brookies feel nice!

[rivergeezer]

Originally Posted by Silvercreek

I use a 10' 5 wt out there.







This is what you do if you are either crazy or a hot shot wader.

Silver, how long did it take you to flow down to the Missouri? Anybody who risks life and limb like that deserves to catch some nice fish.

[The Rookie]

Now days I use two rods for all my NC fishing, (Smith Va as well) a 9' 4wt and a 7' 6" 3wt.
Although 2wt's can be a blast - unless conditions are right for dry fly up top your really limiting your options. I also hate blue lining with a 2wt due to the usually tight conditions, simply the lightweight rods do not hold up well to the beating and banging that comes with hikeing and fishing remotely.

The 9' 4wt is suprizing a great small stream rod, dabbling is a great way to catch a lot of fish ... the sport is in the hook-up, there is little fight on the larger rod. I truely love to fish dry, but honestly for me to catch fish consistantly I have to fish a nymph with a split shot or tandem fly (dry + beadhead). This requires a rod 7' or over. My $.02
As for Brands, get one that repairs cheap and quick.

[ditchmonkey]

get ya a nice 7-7 1/2' 3 wt for mountain streams, myself personally use a 6 1/2' 2 wt for anything brookie, with a hardy on it, but its a very not newb friendly rod, 7 1/2' is going to be long enough to do anything you need it to, and the 3 wt is going to let you be able to throw anything, dries delicatly, turn over a dropper rig, and throw smaller streamers if the situation arises....7 1/2' long rod was my first and i still have at least two or three rods that long...several fiberglasss
as far as the reel buy a cheap battenkill bar stock, good drag, i've personally caught rainbows closing in on the 20'' range with it, as well as brooks barely pushing 3''....